Women's Preventive Health: A Modern Annual Checklist
A woman's preventive plan changes decade by decade. Here is what an evidence-based annual assessment should include at every stage.
The three preventive priorities across life
A woman's preventive plan can be organized around three tracks: reproductive and hormonal health, cardiometabolic risk, and cancer screening. The relative weight of each shifts with age — reproductive dominant in the 20s and 30s, hormonal transition central in the 40s, cardiometabolic and cancer screening intensifying beyond 50.
The core annual checklist
Blood pressure, resting heart rate, weight, height, BMI, waist circumference.
CBC and ferritin — women of reproductive age have a much higher iron deficiency prevalence.
TSH (± free T4) — thyroid disease is far more common in women, especially post-partum and perimenopausally.
Fasting glucose or HbA1c every 3 years from 40 (earlier with PCOS, gestational diabetes history, or BMI ≥ 25).
Fasting lipid panel every 3–5 years from 40, or earlier with risk factors.
Cervical cancer screening (Pap every 3 years or HPV every 5 years) from 25 to 65.
Breast cancer screening starting in the 40s per shared decision-making, formally 50–74.
Bone density (DEXA) around age 65, earlier with risk factors or early menopause.
Mental health screening; specifically perinatal and perimenopausal periods.
Vaccination review: HPV up to 45, tetanus, influenza, shingles at 50, RSV as recommended.
Reproductive years: iron, cycle, contraception
Iron deficiency (with or without anemia) is common and often unrecognized — it drives fatigue, hair loss, low mood, exercise intolerance. Menstrual pattern, contraceptive plan, and pre-conception planning are core topics; see our Women's Health services for focused visits.
The perimenopausal transition
The five to ten years leading into menopause are when hormonal changes drive some of the most disruptive symptoms — sleep disturbance, mood, hot flashes, weight change, cognitive slowing. This is also when cardiovascular risk begins to converge with men's. A proper mid-life assessment addresses hormones, bone, metabolic health, and lifestyle together — see Perimenopause and Menopause treatment.
Post-menopause and beyond
After menopause, cardiovascular disease becomes the leading cause of death in women. Bone density loss accelerates. Screening intensifies for cardiovascular risk (ApoB, lipoprotein(a), coronary artery calcium), bone health (DEXA at 65 or earlier), and cancer. Our Complete Assessment is designed around exactly this profile.
Book your women's annual assessment
Book via the contact form, or explore our Women's Health & Gynecology services for focused visits.
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer Pap tests?+
Yes, cervical screening is available at our clinic; contact us for the earliest available appointment.
Can hormone therapy be part of my preventive plan?+
For appropriately selected women in perimenopause and early menopause, yes — see our menopause articles and consultation options.